An overview of our Database Theory & Practice Course

Database work is the starting point for predictive analytics, currently the hottest topic in actuarial work today. You can't get exciting results from Generalized Linear Models, Decision Trees, Advanced Regression Models, or Neural Networks unless you can obtain the data to feed those models.

Why take this course?

This course will cover an array of theory, terminology, and skills to help you effectively use your databases and interact with other professionals working with data.

This course is ideally suited for any aspiring or practicing actuaries that would like to advance their job skills and use databases more effectively.

This course is taught from an insurance perspective using insurance centric examples and exercises.

New capstones added periodically so that you can continue learning with lifetime access

Topics include:

Database theory & types of databases

RDBMS Platforms

Data normalization & ERDs

Basic to advanced Structured Query Language (SQL)

Special topics for actuarial analysts

I'm stuck with Microsoft Access - How do I use it effectively?

P&C Reinsurance Problem

Using Oracle

What is in the course?

Lectures in each topic with instructor commentary that simplifies difficult concepts

Capstone projects to tie it all together

Video solutions for each project along with commentary on the proper method to solve them

Arlie Proctor

FCAS, MAAA |

Database Theory and Practice

Arlie graduated from Indiana University in December of 1989 and became a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society in 1995. Arlie has 25 years as a practicing actuary with a specialty in database and system design and implementation. He has worked in primary insurance, consulting, and most recently for a large international reinsurer.

Arlie is an active volunteer for the Casualty Actuarial Society and has held many leadership positions including Senior Part Specialist on the Syllabus Committee, Chair of the Education Policy Committee, Chair of the Examinations Committee, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, Chair of the Branding Task Force, Member of the Board of Directors, and Vice President of Marketing and Communications. He has been responsible for the database work behind the annual travel time report since 2000. ... read more

Arlie brings a very practical approach to teaching actuarial science and techniques. His focus is on preparing students to both pass exams and at the same time be effective practicing actuaries who can combine theory with practical applications.

In his spare time, Arlie enjoys fishing and playing guitar in the blues, folk, and heavy metal genres.

Arlie lives in New Jersey with his wife and two boys (one already in college studying Computer Science). show less

Database Theory & Practice Course

Expanded Features

This is an on-demand course designed for actuarial analysis to build their skillset databases. When you register for this course you will gain access to the following items (except as noted) from the day you register for life.

Comprehensive Course

110+ comprehensive video lessons (14+ hours) covering the entire syllabus that simplify complicated info into more understandable terms and illustrate important concepts through examples and graphics.

Online Discussion Forum

Active dedicated course forum loaded with existing questions and answers on syllabus material and past exam questions. Instructors and our Support Team try to ensure everyone's questions are answered in a timely manner.?

Capstone Projects

This course includes capstone projects to tie it all together with each project having a video solution walking you through the best way to solve it. These projects are created to give you a true sense of what you can expect in an actuarial setting.

Offline Videos

Take our videos with you everywhere you go and don't worry about a data cap or WiFi signal. Use our Learn app on iOS and Android to download lessons or solutions videos and have them right at your fingertips. ?

Variable Speed Playback

Watch our lessons and video solutions at your pace! When watching our videos on a desktop or our Learn App you can select the speed that makes the most sense for you. The variable speed increases all the way up to 2x.

Student Discount

This course offers a discounted rate (200) to full-time students currently enrolled at a college or university. To receive the discount, you must email customer service either from your school issued email account, or include that email address with your discount request. The discount code will then be sent to the school issued email. ?

MP3 Lessons

Don't want to download the video lessons using our Learn App, but still have access to the lessons offline? We have you covered! Download the audio only versions of the videos and follow along with the instructor using the printable handouts. The MP3s will work in your MP3 player of choice.

Microsoft Office

This course requires you to have access to Microsoft Office. You can get a trial version of the software here. Also note you will need a computer running Microsoft Windows to use Access, there is not a Mac version.

Oracle

Oracle is also used in this course. There is a free version of Oracle (Oracle Express) available and the course includes instructions on downloading and installing the free version along with the necessary ODBC drivers so that you can integrate Oracle with Microsoft Office products.

Excellent Customer Service

You're never alone with The Infinite Actuary. Get help from your instructor and assistants in our online forum. Anything else you need help with, not related to the course material, just reach out to our customer service team and they will get your questions answered!

Lifetime Access

As long as The Infinite Actuary offers this course, you will have access. The access is given for all of the material from this course, including updates! In fact, we encourage you to check in periodically to see new topics. ?

How can I obtain a student discount?

Any full time college student can obtain a 50% discount off the online material for the database skills course. To receive a discount code, you can send an email to customerservice@theinfiniteactuary.com from your college email address. Please be sure to include in your email which seminar you will be taking. This will help us to give you the correct code in a timely manner.

If I purchase a product, how often can I use it?

You may continue to access this course as long as The Infinite Actuary is in business. In fact, we encourage you to check in periodically to see new topics and new capstone projects as they are added in response to course participant recommendations. We also encourage you to continue using the discussion forum to ask questions of both the instructor and other course participants.

Can I share my account with others?

No, we do not allow sharing of accounts. Each registered user should take measure to avoid this as he or she has purchased the rights to our videos and associated bandwidth. If non-paying customers clog up our website traffic, it will negatively impact everyone. We also monitor login histories and have the authority to terminate user accounts for this type of abuse. While the gesture of sharing your account information with a friend or coworker may seem innocent, it can have far-reaching negative implications for you and other legitimate users.

The videos aren't working on my personal computer. What can I do?

You can try the suggestions listed here. Likely, these suggestions will solve the problem you are experiencing: (1) Try a different web browser. We suggest using Firefox for the best results with our website. Other browsers will work but make sure you are using the newest version of the browser. (2) Download the newest version of the movie player that you are using (Windows Media Player, Flash or QuickTime). (3) If one movie player does not work, try the other. (4) Test your bandwidth at the following site. Make sure it is at least 700kbps. Bandwidth Place | Internet Speed Test. (5) Clear the CACHE on your computer by clicking the "CTRL" and "F5" buttons at the same time. (6) Try clearing your browsers cookies. How to delete cookies. (7) Make sure your operating system has all its important updates. If you're on a Mac, run Software Update from your Apple menu (or Mac App Store if you're running OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion or newer). If you're on Windows, click the following link. Microsoft Windows Update. (8) If you are using third-party web browsers like Firefox, make sure you're running the latest version. (9) The previous suggestions should help. However, if you are still unable to open the videos please let customer service know what error message you receive and we will be happy to look further into your situation.

The videos will not play on my work PC. What can I do?

Usually, this is the result of your employer's network placing some restrictions in the company's firewall settings. You need to make sure that there is no block placed on the domain ( edgecastcdn.net ) from where our videos are streamed. Many employers will block sites like these to restrict video content from being streamed to their employee's PCs. Edgecast is a Content Delivery Network where we store all of our content. This network distributes our content to multiple servers all across the world so that if any one server goes down, there are plenty of backups in place. Websites like YouTube use their own CDNs and as a result, CDNs are not high on company's approved website lists. Feel free to call Tech Support (877-883-5275) if you need any further help.

Can I download the videos to my hard drive so that I can view them without an Internet connection?

Our videos are only viewable while logged in and connected to the Internet. While we realize the convenience of having all the files on your local drive, it also puts our company's assets at jeopardy. Our instructors spend hours upon hours creating the content for you. It would only take a few students, who illegally share their material with others, to discourage instructors from ever producing any more content. We do try to make our videos as accessible as possible by offering them in three different formats (Windows Media, Flash and QuickTime) and even through devices like the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Given the global accessibility to the World Wide Web, we believe that the majority of the actuarial population will be able to view our videos without trouble. However, we do understand the need to study on the go and that internet access is not always accessible. You have two options: (1) Download the MP3 versions of the lessons and follow along in your notes. (2) Open the TIA site and let the video fully load before you leave, but do not press play. Just close the lid on your laptop and leave the browser open. When you are ready to watch the video just open the laptop and press play.

Why can I not download the PDFs? I always get an error message or an empty zip file.

Some computer networks are configured to not allow opening of zip files directly from an external site. Many of our downloadable files are in zip format. After clicking on the link, you should be given an option to either open or save the file. Try saving the file to your hard drive and then opening the zip file from there. You can also try right-clicking on the link and choosing the "Save Link As" option. If those do not work, then please contact customer service. They will determine if the link is incorrect or the file is missing from its proper location. At the minimum, they can email you the needed files so that you can move on with your studying.

Do I need to be an experienced user of Access to take this course?

No, this course does not assume that you have any prior working knowledge of Access or another database software.

If I am already an experienced user of Access, will the course be of any benefit?

That depends on your level of expertise in both Access and database theory. There are probably enough tips and tricks in the course to interest experienced users. If you are not experienced working with insurance data, the course will absolutely benefit you.

Can I purchase my next online seminar without knowing if I passed my last exam?

Yes. If you later find out that you didn't pass your last exam, simply email us at customerservice@theinfiniteactuary.com, and we will pause access to your new online seminar. This will preserve your new online seminar allowing you to study for your last exam again. When you are ready to resume the paused online seminar, just email us, and we will reactivate it. You will have access to all current materials (same as anyone else using the online seminar at that time).